Monday, April 01, 2013

13 Questions with Anna Silver!

I have another pub sister over today! :) The lovely and talented Anna Silver is here to talk about her soon-to-be-released novel, Otherborn!

P.S. My A-Z post will go live at 7:00 a.m. EST.

1. Welcome, Anna! To bring everyone up to speed, why don't you tell us a little bit about your novel?

Otherborn is a YA sci-fi/dystopian set in a world where no one dreams anymore and “new” has become a dirty word. A historic, global energy crisis has forced everyone to move into walled cities where their lives are carefully regimented by the Tycoons’ new world order. But main character London, an independent, streetwise teenager, and a select few of her friends, have all begun spontaneously dreaming. Through their dreams, they reconnect with their true identities as astral shamans, and must piece together the memories of their former lives, as well as their mission in this world. All while searching for their missing friend and being hunted by a mysterious assassin named ‘Kingsnake’.

2. What inspired you to write about a place where nothing new—especially music—is allowed? I knew I wanted to write about astral shamans, and I wanted to contrast the vibrancy and limitless possibility of the astral plane against a dystopian society that valued the opposite of that. So it made sense to me that if no one dreamed anymore, they would lose other important faculties of the human psyche, like imagination and creativity. Invention and art would fall to the wayside and life would become very dull and dependant on what had come before.

3. Would you consider yourself musically-inclined?

I am not musically inclined. I played the viola and keyboard for a few years as a kid, but I never stuck with it long enough to learn much. I can’t even read sheet music anymore. But I love music and I love to sing— alone. Music is incredibly moving to me. In fact, I’m so sensitive to it that there are many times I can’t listen to music (of almost any kind) without tearing up, which is really embarrassing in some situations.

4. Speaking of artsy things, I've heard you make fairy houses. Would you mind sharing about that, for those of us who aren't familiar?Fairy houses are just like they sound, tiny houses made for fairies to live in. I build them from up-cycled and natural materials mostly. I’ve sold quite a few but it’s very tedious, time consuming work and so I haven’t been able to work on one in a while. Most of my fairy houses light up and they are just magical! It’s really my way of building my dream house over and over, because if I had it my way, I would live in a moss and mushroom encrusted hovel in the woods. Here’s a picture of one:

5. Okay, time for some quick questions. Are you ready?Shoot!

6. Favorite beverage?Any dark, frothy beer, especially a brown ale.

7. The moon or the sun?The moon! I am Wiccan, so the moon carries heavy spiritual significance in my life.

13. Lastly, where can people find more info about you and your books online?

Well, I have a whole host of social media and online sites where you can catch up with me. Most importantly, you can visit my website, which is where you’ll find excerpts of my work, video trailers, and other book candy, as well as my blog. Next to that, I’m always on facebook, twitter, and goodreads. I’m also an avid pinner and you can always check my publisher’s site as well. All the url’s are listed below:

Anna Silver grew up with a passion for words, books, and storytelling. She began writing as a child and eventually landed at St. Edward’s University in Austin where she studied English Writing & Rhetoric. She has always nurtured a vivid imagination and a love for art, expression, and fantasy. Currently she resides in the greater Houston area with her family and pets where she continues to read, write, and dream. Otherborn is her first published novel.